A financial aid appeal is an opportunity for you to request a re-evaluation of your aid or an appeal of a financial aid policy or decision. Please review the appeal processes below to learn more about qualifying circumstances and to proceed with filing an appeal. 

Professional Judgement Appeal

Professional Judgment refers to the authority of a school's financial aid administrator to adjust data elements on the FAFSA or CADAA.  These evaluations are done on a case-by-case basis and with adequate documentation. Not all 收入 reductions will result in an increase of the amount of your award. If you believe your 收入 has changed, and would like your case evaluated by a 金融援助 administrator, please fill out the Professional Judgement Appeal questionnaire

  • Independent students: You may qualify for additional funding if you or your spouse (if married) had a 收入减少.
  • 依赖学生: You may qualify for additional funding if you or your parents had a reduction in 收入.

*Please note you may be required to submit copies of your 2022 W2’s and/or 202 Federal Tax Return Transcripts.

Dependency Override: If you are requesting a review of your dependency status for financial aid, please complete the questionnaire. A 金融援助 administrator will follow up with you to schedule a meeting appointment if additional information is required. 

Professional Judgement Appeal Questionnaire

Cost of Attendance Appeal

The Cost of Attendance Appeal can be used if you believe the Cost of Attendance used in determining your financial aid was not sufficient to cover your actual expenses during the academic year. 学生 have an “At 首页” cost of attendance, meaning it is assumed they live with parents/guardians, but who actually live away from parents/guardians in separate housing may submit proof of a lease or rental agreement. 学生 believe they have expenses that exceed the standard Cost of Attendance
assigned to them may submit proof of those expenses.

Cost of Attendance Appeal Questionnaire

Examples of Allowable Expenses

  • Changing housing situation from “At 首页” to “Away From 首页”
  • Excess rent: a copy of your lease agreement (Limit is $200/month increase)
  • 首页owner's or renter's insurance premiums: proof of payment, copy of the policy
  • Proof of payment: receipts, billing statements for three months for:
    • 基本PG&E /公用事业
    • Basic telephone costs
    • Basic internet costs

A medical, dental, and optical allowance for expenses not covered by insurance is included in the “Personal Expenses” category of the basic budget. Appropriate documentation for additional projected expenses or expenses that occur during the academic year include (there might be a percentage or threshold expenses have to exceed): 

  • 健康care provider's billing statements showing cost, date of treatment, and the 支出金额
  • Copy of insurance policy (for student's premium cost)
  • Proof of payment by student or parent

Projected expenses that a student anticipates incurring during the current academic year will be considered on a case by case basis at the discretion of the financial 援助顾问.  

In addition to the basic “Books and Supplies” category of the student expense budget, acceptable additions include: 

  • Required reference texts
  • Required special equipment/supplies
  • Required research costs
    Computer Purchase (limit to one computer purchase per completed degree)

The basic student expense budget covers the moderate cost of public transportation for incidental travel to and from your parents’ or your home. 运输成本 must be educationally related. Acceptable additional expenses may include: 

  • 运输成本 required by an academic program, unusual medical condition, or other reasons directly related to educational needs (supporting statements from an academic advisor may be requested)
  • Costs of commuting to off-campus internships/fieldwork that are related to your program 的研究. 一定要包括:
    • Estimated mileage per trip (indicate whether one-way or round trip)
    • List starting and ending addresses
    • Number of trips and total mileage
  • Cost of car insurance for the student that exceeds the current budget allotment
  • Receipts for travel expenses associated with your education
  • Receipts reflecting excessive cost repairs

An allowance for reasonable costs, as determined by the institution, for a student in a study abroad program approved for credit by the home institution.

An allowance based on the estimated actual expenses incurred for dependent care, based on the number and age of such dependents. Such allowance must not exceed the average cost in Los Angeles county; and the period for which dependent care is required includes but is not limited to, class time, study-time, fieldwork, internships, and commuting time.

An allowance, as determined by the institution, for expenses associated with a student’s disability, including special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and supplies that are reasonably incurred and not provided for by other agencies.

An allowance for the cost of any Federal student loan fee, origination fee, or insurance premium charged to the student or the parent of the student. The allowance may be actual or average costs, as appropriate; and may not include the cost associated with 非联邦贷款.

An allowance for the costs associated with obtaining a license, certification, or a first professional credential, for a student in a program that prepares them to enter a profession that requires such a qualification.

Examples of Expenses Not Allowed

  • 有线电视费
  • 信用卡债务
  • 汽车分期付款
  • Purchase or lease of a vehicle
  • Trips for entertainment purposes

Submission of a Cost of Attendance Appeal along with documentation is not a guarantee that an appeal will be approved. Final approval of the appeal is at the discretion of the assigned 金融援助 Advisor. Students may appeal a Cost of Attendance appeal denial to the Assistant Director or Director of 金融援助.

An approved Cost of Attendance appeal does not necessarily indicate you will become eligible for additional financial aid.

If you are found to be ineligible for financial aid, you may upload through your LancerPoint a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal in order to be reconsidered for Financial 援助.  For more information on our SAP policy and to watch a helpful video 点击这里.

The Appeal must include the following:

  1. PCC 金融援助 Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal
  2. Documentation to support exceptional/extenuating circumstances that were beyond your 控制. (See below for examples of exceptional circumstances)
  3. A statement explaining what exceptional/extenuating circumstances prevented you from reaching your educational goal, how the exceptional/extenuating circumstance has been resolved, and how long it will take you to complete that goal. Examples of Exceptional and Extenuating Circumstances:
    • Medical Issues-Hospitalization
    • 医疗条件
    • a death in the family (immediate family members only)
    • 离婚
    • 服兵役
    • 失业/无家可归.
  4. Your most recent Student Comprehensive Educational Plan which documents the length of time remaining in completing your educational goal at PCC, and all classes needed for your declared program. *Classes that are not required for your declared major/program (per your approved Comprehensive Educational Plan) will not be eligible for Financial 援助支出.

The Appeal committee will use regulatory guidelines set by the Department of Education and institutional policy to review Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to determine a student’s eligibility for Student 金融援助 (SFA). 这个决定 made by the Appeals Committee will be final and there will be no further appeals.